[aethant]

I'm assuming you've never been to a country that doesn't have tipping, or were shielded from service in such a country, if you were. Customer service in these places is horrible. Why? Because it makes no difference to them if you are pleased or not. They could care less.

If doing some simple math is so difficult, your phone has a calculator, or ask for a pen and paper.

[EliRivers]

So not true.

I don't tip the checkout staff at the supermarket. Service is fine. I don't tip my accountant. Service is fine. I don't tip the car valet. Service is fine. I don't tip the waiter. Service is fine.

Why should the waiter provide poor service uniquely amongst all these untippes service providers?

If you experienced poor service in a non-tipping culture, it's not because the server knew there was no tip coming. It's because you had a bad server.

The evidences indicates that tipping does not improve service.

http://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/psychology-agrees-with-d... ... and many more.

Especially in cultures where it's expected. I see people get awful service sometimes and then they tip. Tipping in restaurants in the US is not about service. It's about being able to pay employees below minimum wage and make them dance like monkeys to pay the rent.

[Munksgaard]

I don't know where you've been, or how you've been treated, but I've had many great dining experiences outside of the US, as well as many terrible ones inside the US.

[dexterdog]

But you have a better feedback loop where there is tipping involved.